Sermon for 3/12/2006
Jesus to the Rescue
Romans 5:1-11
Introduction:
A. On August 28, 1995 two boaters set out on the Haw River near Pittsboro, North Carolina. The river was at flood stage and very hazardous but these two felt like they were “experts” and “experienced boaters.” Well, as you can guess, these two got into serious trouble and a U.S. Army helicopter was used to rescue these two from danger. Both boaters were recovered without harm, but a flight medic received minor injuries while attempting to reach one of the victims.
B. This past week in Northern California the snow was causing hazardous conditions on the roadways. One driver in a Toyota pickup slid off the highway down a steep embankment into the icy waters of the American River. Bob Paris was driving down the same road and saw the whole thing happen. What did Bob do? He stopped and ran down this embankment and plunged into the American River to rescue this man. Emergency workers said it was remarkable that Paris survived, considering that he jumped into frigid water with no protective clothing. “Our divers wear full suits that protect them from the cold water. That citizen didn’t have that and jumped in and did an absolutely remarkable job and saved this man’s life,” said Sergeant Jim Byers. Paris said he just did what he thinks anyone would do. “If it were me, I hope they’d go down there and take that chance,” Paris said. As of Wednesday, the driver Paris rescued was in critical condition at a local hospital.
WBTU:
• The key word here is rescue.
Thesis: WE need to remember how lost, helpless we were (or are) and remember what Christ did for us (or can do), and through Christ we have (or can have) five things.
For instances:
I. How lost, helpless, pathetic we were
A. Without strength, still powerless (Vs. 6).
1. We were powerless to escape from our sins.
a. (John 8:34 NIV) Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
b. (Rom 7:19 NIV) For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. (Rom 7:20 NIV) Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
2. We were powerless to escape death.
a. Death came about because of sin. Because of Adam and his sin all of mankind will experience death, the separation of the body from the spirit.
b. We are also powerless to escape the second death. (Rev 20:14 NIV) The lake of fire is the second death. Eternal separation from God. We are powerless to escape either death.
3. Powerless to resist Satan. 1 John 5:19- the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We are powerless to resist the evil one.
B. Ungodly (Vs. 6)
1. Does not think of God. (Psa 10:4 NIV) In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
2. Doing the opposite of God’s commands. (Isa 59:7 NIV) Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways.
C. Sinners. Vs. 8
1. (Rom 3:23 NIV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
2. (Isa 64:6 NIV) All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.
D. Enemies. Vs. 10
* I do not hate God. (Mat 12:30 NIV) "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
II. Remember what Christ did for us (or can do)
A. Died for us. Died for the ungodly. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1. He didn’t have to; he wanted to. (John 10:18 NIV) No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.
2. He gave his life. (1 Tim 2:5 NIV) For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Tim 2:6 NIV) who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.
Transition: Illustration- During the war in Vietnam, a young West Point graduate was sent over to lead a group of new recruits into battle. He did his job well, trying his best to keep his unit from ambush and death. But one night when they had been under attack, he was unable to get one of his men to safety.
The soldier left behind had been severely wounded. From their trenches, the young lieutenant and his men could hear him in his pain. They all knew any attempt to save him – even if it was successful -- would almost certainly mean death for the would-be rescuer.
Eventually the young lieutenant crawled out of hiding toward the dying man. He got to him safely but was killed before he could save himself.
After the rescued man returned to the States, the lieutenant’s parents heard that he was in their vicinity. Wanting to know this young man whose life was spared at such a great cost to them, they invited him to dinner.
When their honored guest arrived, he was obviously drunk. He was rowdy and obnoxious. He told off-color jokes and showed no gratitude for the sacrifice of the man who died to save him. The grieving parents did the best they could to make the man’s visit worthwhile, but their efforts went unrewarded.
Their guest finally left. As the dad closed the door behind him, the mother collapsed in tears and cried, "To think that our precious son had to die for somebody like that."
That’s what Jesus did. That’s what it says right in these verses. Christ died for us while we were still sinners
• Now if we could imagine a great rescue effort and the rescuers come up and those they are trying to rescue say: No, I don’t need to be rescued. I am fine just as I am. In our world, many times the rescuers would not care; they would take these people by force and get them to safety. However, it is not that way in the spiritual realm. God has given us free will. We can either accept the rescue efforts of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, or we can reject His rescue and stay just the way that we are.
• Give the plan of salvation.
• In the instance of the boaters on the Haw River, members of the local boating community believed that the victims should have been charged for the full cost of the rescue operation. Others believed that the victims should have been left to fend for themselves. These boaters knew better! However, the rescue cost money and it cost the flight medic some injuries. They did not refuse the rescue.
• In the case of Bob Paris, both Bob and the man who ended up in the River knew that conditions were treacherous. It could have been quite costly; Bob could have lost his life. But Bob dove into the river and did it. This is what Christ did. However, Christ went beyond even this. If Bob knew that the man in front of him was a mass murderer, would Bob have dove into that river. We don’t know but it would have made Bob think twice. If that man had killed his mother, would Bob have dove into the river. Probably not!
• Vs. 7 basically says rarely will a person give his or her life for someone they merely respect; but occasionally a person dies for the sake of someone they love — a soldier for his buddies, a parent for her children. The awesome quality of God’s love for us is seen in that Christ died for us while we were still wicked scoundrels.
• Christ died for everyone, all wicked scoundrels. But it is sad to note that when the rescue is brought to some people, they say no, I don’t need to be rescued.
B. Christ justified us. This is a legal term that means to declare or pronounce innocent.
1. We are justified by our faith. By accepting the rescue offered through Christ. Vs. 1
2. We are justified by his blood vs. 9. The blood that he shed cost him dearly.
C. Christ reconciled us to God. Vs. 10, 11 mention this.
1. Many of us know what it is like to have an estranged relationship. Darryl Dash- A few years ago, I noticed that somebody was angry with me. I’d walk into a room, and they’d walk out. I’d walk into another room, and they’d leave again. IT was ugly. Imagine being in an estranged relationship with God. That’s what we used to have. But not anymore.
2. This is a relational term.
III. Through Christ we have (or can have) five things
A. Peace. Vs. 1
1. We think of peace in terms of absence of hostility. This is not necessarily the case. Make love not war. Hippy meaning of peace.
2. (Isa 32:17 NIV) The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. (Isa 32:18 NIV) My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
3. The sweet quiet of the soul.
B. Access to grace. Vs. 2
1. Not just peace but access to God’s grace. It’s like we live in a constant state of God’s favor being poured out upon us.
2. Grace has given us a foothold in the door that God will one day swing wide open to us. God’s grace isn’t a one time thing.
C. Hope. Vs. 2-5
1. Hope says to us constantly, "go on, go on," and leads us to the grave.
2. (Rom 8:24 NIV) For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? (Rom 8:25 NIV) But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
3. (Rom 8:28 NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
4. Hope does not disappoint us. Not that everything is good but for the Christian everything works for the good.
5. Hope helps us to deal with suffering. Paul knows that just because we became a Christian, it does not mean that we will be without troubles. But our faith helps us to deal in a positive manner with our troubles.
D. Holy Spirit. Vs. 5
1. God is madly in love with you. Why? Because he has given the Holy Spirit.
2. (Rom 8:26 NIV) In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Rom 8:27 NIV) And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
3. Then it goes into Romans 8:28-
4. The Holy Spirit gives us hope that helps us to deal with our troubles.
E. Eternal life in heaven.
1. Salvation from the wrath to come. Vs. 9
2. We shall be saved through His life! He rescues us!
Conclusion:
Chris Rice- Come to Jesus
Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!
Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!
And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory’s side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!
